u/gognggogng

I am moving to Tajikistan for work in a few weeks, and bringing two cats with me. I am now looking for an apartment in Dushanbe. My employer has offered a place, but it does not allow pets, and they told me that "nobody here will rent to someone with pets".

99% of apartments listed on the Somon website also say pets not allowed. Is this negotiable (e.g. if I offer a "pet deposit" or "pet rent")?

Am I just out of luck? I'd be grateful for any suggestions for finding an apartment that allows cats.

My wife and I have accepted a job in Dushanbe at an international school. It's a new, small school, and when we accepted the job they warned us that "your offer depends on your work permits being approved". They even put similar language in our contracts.

Is there a significant rejection rate for work permits for foreigners (even if the foreigner is qualified and has papers in order, which we do)? Usually, once I'm hired by an international school in a new country, I figure I can rely on them getting permits and visas arranged. I'm wondering if I should be more worried in this case.

I'd definitely appreciate any experiences or insights anyone can share.

The T&Cs for most international teacher recruiting platforms include some statement to the effect of "If you accept a position, never renege on a contract (or verbal agreement) with a school". However, in my experience, the reverse does not apply. More than once, I've been asked to sign a contract while being told, in the same breath, that my employment is contingent on immigration/the education ministry accepting something. I've also had contracts cancelled before arrival for much more dubious reasons after I have given notice to current employers that I am moving on, leaving me in a tight position.

I am curious – how do you all navigate this in an ethical but realistic way? Do you accept multiple contracts at once to hedge the risk of being cancelled on by schools?

Having had an offer rescinded due to a visa issue, I am now scrambling to find a position at the last minute and trying things I don't usually try – among them, applying through "Serious Teachers". This platform invites job seekers to submit a tailored cover letter with each application, which I have been doing – so I was surprised and frustrated to discover that every single school was receiving the same letter, which I had submitted to one of the first openings I applied to there. I contacted Serious Teachers about the issue, which persists, and they have not replied.

I thought I would let my fellow teachers know so that they do not waste as much time as I did.